Spacing, bracing, retaining, and clamping device



Sept. 12, 1944. BRONNER 2,358,209

SPACING, BRACING, RETAINING AND CLAMPING DEVICE Original Filed July 1, 1940 INVENTOR WITNEssEs kn/10 Ewan/201' MV BY i h'rvn M4 TORNEYS Patented Sept. 12, 1944 SPACING, BRAOING, RETAINING, AND GLAMPING DEVICE James E. Bronner, Eltingville, Staten Island, N. Y. I

Original application July 1, 1940, Serial No.

343,365. Divided and this application 2, 1943, Serial No. 477,722

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a device which is useful in wall construction of structures havin double walls with a uniform air space and involving such members as the flanged uprights and associated parts such as beams, joists, braces, rafters and the like, for the purpose of maintaining components of the walls in place.

More particularly the device serves as a spacer, brace, retainer and clamp in conjunction with other constituents of a well assembly construction disclosed in my Patent No. 2,316,668, and is a division of the subject'matter of said patent.

The principal. object of the invention is the provision of a device of the indicated character whereby a frame may be readily completedto form a sturdy and rigid assembly before the application of the walls panels or elements and to incorporate the latter in such manner that a building may be constructed economically and expeditiously.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device con structed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective horizontal section showing the device in use by way of example.

Figure 3 is a .perspective view of a modification of the device.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further modification of the device.

On reference to Figure 1 it will be apparent a .7

device l6 constructed in accordance with the invention is cut, bent and formed from a single piece of sheet material, such as sheet steel or other material having inherent springiness, to provide portions 40, 4|, I1, 42, 8 and I9 respectively. The portion 40 serves as a spacing means. One end of the portion 4| is integral with one end of the portion 4|], and one end of the portion I1 is integral with the other end of the portion 4| disposed at an acute angle with respect thereto, and the other end of the portion I! is integral with one end of the portion 42. This portion 42 is disposed to lie or bear against the intermediate portion 40. The portion 42 has a slot 43 and the portion 40 has a hole 44 for a purpose to appear.

The portions 4|, I1 and 42 serve as a brace as well as a pressure exerting means or clamp in conjunction with structural members to be retained or secured in place. Accordin ly, the portion 4| is preformed to an angle of 105, or

March the angle may be more or less, withrespect to the portion 40 in order to exert clamping pressure when the device is secured in .place for the intended purpose. The portion I8 is preformed to a substantially ninety-degree angle with respect to the portion 40, whereas the portion I9 is normally in the'plane of the portion 4|], as shown in dotted'lines in Figure 1.

On reference. to Figure 2 there is shown a building construction of assembled parts including an upright H], T-shape in cross section, providing a flange H on a web l2. The web |2 is disposed between the ends of outside wall panel l3, each of which is rabbetted as at M to receive one of the flanges Panels 2| are arranged-in spaced parallel relation to the panels l3 and the web I2 is disposed between the ends of the panels 2| in contact therewith as in the case of the panels l3. Each panel 2| is rabbetted as at'22.

Use is made of the required number of devices I6, each of which serves as a spacer, brace, retainer and clamp in conjunction with the upright 1,, the outside panels l3 and inside panels 2|. p 7

This is accomplished by the use of a togglebolt 20 for each device. The belt extends through a hole in the web l2, hole 44 in the portion 40, and the slot 43. The bolt 20 not only holds the device l6 in place but also holds the portion 42 against the portion 4|] with the portion 4| bearing on the outside panel l3, which has been previously put in place. A panel 2| is set in place and is engaged on the outside face by the portion l8 and the portion I9 is then bent to a ninety-degree angle with respect to the portion 40 into engagement with end face and inside rabbetted face of the panel 2|. A screw 23 extending through the portion |9, which has a hole for that purpose, and driven into the panel firmly holds the inner end of the device I6. A grout 45 is filled in the remaining space between the panel'end and the web |2. A filler 24 of the same material as the panel 2| is applied within the rabbet 22 after the assembly of the parts has been effected. Thus the inside surface of a wall formed by numerous panels will be brought to a smooth finish to receive paint or other suitable coating to give the desired decorative effect without the use of lathing or plastering.

It is to be understood that the number of device I6 used depends upon the number and size of the panels, and that said devices are arranged on opposite sides of the Webs l2 at intervals in staggered relation. This enables the outside and I inside panels of one bay to be detached independently of the adjoining panels.

In Figure 3 there is shown a modified form of device, the same being designated I Hi. This device is cut, bent and formed from a single piece of material herein specified, to provide a portion Hill which serves as a spacing means, an arcuate end portion 21 in continuation of the portion I40, and portions H8 and H9. The portion 21 has the same function as the portion 4|, and the portions 8 and H9 have the functhe device l6, and accomplish the same result in use.

In Figure 4 there is shown a further modification of the device having all of the advantages of the device 16, andthe further advantage that it is adjustable as to length. The device 2l6 shown in Figure 4 is of two parts, a part 28having a portion 240 and integral portions 2L8 and H9, and a second part 220 consisting of a straight portion 22! and an arcuate portion 29 in continuation of the portion 22L The portion 22! has a slot I42 therein. The device 2H5 being made up of parts 28 and 220 is adjustable as to length. 'I'he part 28 is preferably spot-welded or otherwise secured to the web I2 and the part,

220 is secured by a toggle-bolt 20 extending through the web l2, the portion 240 and through the slot- I42. By virtue of the portion 29, the device 2|5 Wl11 exert spring pressure on the related outside panel l3. It is understood that the portions H8 and 2l9 serve to firmly hold the related inside panel 2|.

I claim; V

1. A device adapted to be fixedly secured to framework for spacing, bracing and retaining structural members in cooperation with said framework, said devicebeing constructed to provide an intermediate spacer portion, means on one end of said portion to'engage one structural member, and means on the opposite end of said portion to exert spring clamping pressure on a second structural member for bracing and retaining said members imposition in spaced relation to each other, said last means consisting of tions of the portions l8 and I9 respectively of angularly disposed portions one of which has a slot, and said intermediate portion having provision for accommodating a fastener element to secure the device in place and to enable the fastener element to extend in said slot to hold said angularly disposed portions adjusted to a desired clamping pressure.

2. A device adapted to be fixedly secured to framework for spacing, bracing and retaining structural members in cooperation with said framework, said device being constructed to provide an intermediate spacer portion, means on one end of said portion to engage one structural member, and means on the opposite end of said portion to exert spring clamping pressure on a second structural member for bracing and retaining said members in position in spaced re- 'lation to each other, said last means consisting operation with said framework, said device being cut, bent and formed from a single piece of sheet metal to provide an intermediate spacer portion, clamping means'integral with one end of said spacer portion consisting of a springy panel-engaging portion normally disposed at an angle greater than a right angle with respect to said spacer portion, a bracing portion integral with the free end of said panel-engaging portion and disposed at an acute angle with respect thereto, and a slotted portion in continuation of said bracing portion; and panel-engaging means in continuation of the remaining end of said spacerportion.

JAMES E. BRONNER. 

